Posted on 08/28/2008 5:38:40 PM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
At both the Radio City Music Hall and the RKO Roxy, which have a combined seating capacity of 10,000, the main attraction now is a fantastic film known as “King Kong.” The story of this feature was begun by the late Edgar Wallace and finished by Merian C. Cooper, who with his old associate Ernest B. Schoedsack, is responsible for the production. It essays to give the spectator a vivid conception of the terrifying experiences of a producer of jungle pictures and his colleagues, who capture a gigantic ape, something like fifty feet tall, and bring it to New York. The narrative is worked out in a decidedly compelling fashion, which is mindful of what was done in the old silent film, “The Lost World.”
Through multiple exposures, processed “shots” and a variety of angles of camera wizardry the producers set forth an adequate story and furnish enough thrills for any devotee of such tales.
Although there are vivid battles between prehistoric monsters on the island which Denham, the picture maker, insists on visiting, it is when the enormous ape, called Kong, is brought to this city that the excitement reaches its highest pitch. Imagine a 50-foot beast with a girl in one paw climbing up the outside of the Empire State Building, and after putting the girl on a ledge, clutching at airplanes, the pilots of which are pouring bullets from machine guns into the monster’s body.
It often seems as though Ann Redman, who goes through more terror than any of the other characters in the film, would faint, but she always appears to be able to scream. Her body is like a doll in the claw of the gigantic beast, who in the course of his wanderings through Manhattan tears down a section of the elevated railroad and tosses a car filled with passengers to the street. Automobiles are mere missiles for this Kong, who occasionally reveals that he relishes his invincibility by patting his chest.
Denham is an intrepid person, but it is presumed that when the ape is killed he has had quite enough of searching for places with strange monsters. In the opening episode he is about to leave on the freighter for the island supposed to have been discovered by some sailor, when he goes ashore to find a girl whom he wants to set in his picture. In course of time he espies Ann, played by the attractive Fay Wray, and there ensues a happy voyage. Finally through the fog the island is sighted and Denham, the ship’s officers and sailors, all armed, go ashore. It soon develops that the savages, who offer up sacrifices in the form of human beings to Kong, their super-king, keep him in an area surrounded by a great wall. Kong has miles in which to roam and fight with brontosauri and dinosauri and other huge creatures.
There is a door to the wall. After Denham and the others from the ship have had quite enough of the island, Kong succeeds in bursting open the door, but he is captured through gas bombs hurled at him by the white men. How they ever get him on the vessel is not explained, for the next thing you know is that Kong is on exhibition in Gotham, presumably in Madison Square Garden.
During certain episodes in this film Kong, with Ann in his paw, goes about his battles, sometimes putting her on a fifty-foot high tree branch while he polishes off an adversary. When he is perceived in exhibition in New York he is a frightening spectacle, but Denham thinks that he has the beast safely shackled. The newspaper photographers irritate even him with their flashlights, and after several efforts he breaks the steel bands and eventually gets away. He looks for Ann on the highways and byways of New York. He climbs up hotel facades and his head fills a whole window, his white teeth and red mouth adding to the terror of the spectacle.
Everywhere he moves he crushes out lives. He finally discovers Ann and being a perspicacious ape, he decides that the safest place for himself and Ann is the tower of the Empire State structure.
Needless to say that this picture was received by many a giggle to cover up fright. Constant exclamations issued from the Radio City Music Hall yesterday. “What a man,” observed one youth when the ape forced down the great oaken door on the Island. Human beings seem so small that one is reminded of Defoe’s “Gulliver’s Travels.” One step and this beast traverses half a block. If buildings hinder his progress, he pushes them down, and below him the people look like Lilliputians.
Miss Wray goes through her ordeal with great courage. Robert Armstrong gives a vigorous and compelling impersonation of Denham. Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy, Noble Johnson and James Flavin add to the interest of this weird tale.
What red? Isn't this in black and white?
See if you can find a King Kong review (original movie)
I don't normally do requests, but your wish is granted. Though why you want to read a five-and-a-half-year-old movie review is beyond me.
I still think Fay Wray is the prettiest girl in the movies, and boy can she scream! It’s her voice they use on tracks for a good female scream.
I’m proud to say my grandmother and grandfather let Robert Armstrong sleep on their couch on their honeymoon night.
He was a friend and new in the business and lived in an apartment with some friends, was out partying in Manhattan and too drunk to go home.
Good thing Kong didn’t peak in the window and see the man who introduced him to Beauty.
I vote for Deborah Kerr.
In grade school, I did a reort on movie special effects. Prior to 2001: A Space Oddesy, the old King Kong was considered to be state of the art.
BTW - The most recent remake of King Kong was actually quite good and in almost every way, superior to the original. Long, but really well done.
In grade school, I did a reort on movie special effects. Prior to 2001: A Space Oddesy, the old King Kong was considered to be state of the art.
BTW - The most recent remake of King Kong was actually quite good and in almost every way, superior to the original. Long, but really well done.
In grade school, I did a reort on movie special effects. Prior to 2001: A Space Oddesy, the old King Kong was considered to be state of the art.
BTW - The most recent remake of King Kong was actually quite good and in almost every way, superior to the original. Long, but really well done.
Although she's best known for screaming, Fay Wray actually had a mellifluous voice that still sounded good when she was interviewed on the radio during the 1990's.
The reviewer didn’t even put up a spoiler alert. I never saw the movie, and now I know how it ends. Sheesh!
I wont archive this one since it is over 5 years old.
Hopefully things will slow down some and I’ll be able to contribute more to these threads soon. We are reaching some real big events with what’s going on with Czechoslovakia and the comming apex of the Battle of Wuhan.
I started reading a book last night on Edward Chapman (Zigzag). So far it’s pretty interesting and might make a good side story down the road.
Fay Wray passed away only a few years ago (2004)...
You are right about that. I never heard of him so I wiki'ed him and got the basics. The earliest precise date I saw was in Dec. 42. Those wacky Brits come up with some colorful characters.
I know that in some countries, the movie was referred to as "King Kong and the White Woman."
See post #2. It explains all. And watch the language. This is a family movie.
I Agee. I didn’t at first understand why Peter Jackson was so hot to make the monkey movie. But after watching it I think I get it. I think he did a brilliant job of it.
Thank Homer J. I though Peter Jackson version in no way compares to the greatness of the original!
I requested it. Any other questions?
Yeah, kinda seems like when some people leave the world it grows a little dim.
Melifluous voice, how beautiful.
The first reference I can make of him will be in February of next year with some antics he was involved in on the Isle of Jersey.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.